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I would be really interested to know your birth wishes/ birth hopes when you have had time to think about it more.

With my most recent birth I hoped for a natural labour as I wanted my labour to be as low risk and 'smooth' as possible. Overall, I hoped for a positive birthing and experience (whatever journey my labour took) and I am pleased to say that I certainly view this labour as a positive and empowering experience. You can read Josh's birth story here. I found reading positive birth stories really helpful towards the end of my pregnancy.

That sounds like a great plan Emma. Have you thought about using a birth pool in your labour? Many women find that the warm water acts as a natural painkiller. Being in a birthing pool also creates a sort of 'private birthing place' and this can make it easier to shut out the world around you and focus only on your breathing and your baby.

Are you planning a home birth or a hospital birth? It is important that you feel comfortable and safe in your birthing environment.

Have you heard of the positive birth movement? You can read many excellent positive birth stories through their website and they can also put you in touch with a 'birth buddy' to support you through the rest of your pregnancy.